BRIDGEWATER — Chief Christopher Delmonte is pleased to share that the Bridgewater Police Department has completed its pledge through the One Mind Campaign to improve its response to those suffering from mental health disorders.
The One Mind Campaign is an initiative that was started by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in an effort to improve the interactions between law enforcement agencies and those with mental illnesses. Departments that pledge to join the campaign are challenged to implement practices within their agency to improve mental health programming, training and procedures within a one to three year time period.
The IACP also provides resources to departments that pledge to join the One Mind Campaign, including a toolkit produced by the Bureau of Justice Assistance with resources for law enforcement agencies looking to partner with mental health providers, a model policy for law enforcement when responding to persons suffering from mental illness, and resources for planning mental health first aid and crisis intervention team program trainings.
The Bridgewater Police Department was notified that it had completed the One Mind Pledge on March 23. In order to complete the pledge, departments must train and certify 100% of its officers in Mental Health First Aid or other equivalent mental health awareness courses, as well as at least 20% of sworn staff in intensive Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) or equivalent crisis response training.
By completing the One Mind Pledge, Bridgewater Police have established a sustainable partnership with local mental health organizations, developed and implemented a model policy to address officers’ interactions with those affected by mental health conditions, and ensured that all of their officers receive mental health awareness training.
Completing the Pledge
On Aug. 1, 2019, the Bridgewater Police Department signed up to take the One Mind Pledge in an effort to ensure successful interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health conditions. Upon taking the pledge, the department was given 12-36 months to complete three main objectives.
Of note, the department (along with five other police agencies) has developed and established a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with Brockton-based High Point Treatment Center (HPTC). Through this partnership, these departments have received a Regional Jail Diversion grant from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to fund a mental health clinician who is employed by HPTC but is assigned to the six departments in a co-response model.
Additionally, a policy was implemented within the department that the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission has deemed to be a model policy addressing law enforcement response to persons affected by mental illness.
“I am proud of each of the officers within this department for their hard work and commitment to this cause, and we will continue to make strides in this area to better serve all the residents of Bridgewater,” Chief Delmonte said. “I would also like to thank Det. Sgt. Scott Hile for his work on the Regional Jail Diversion Grant, and the One Mind Campaign.”
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